Myocardial abscess: a rare complication of valvular endocarditis demonstrated by 3D contrast echocardiography

Eur J Echocardiogr. 2010 Dec;11(10):E37. doi: 10.1093/ejechocard/jeq090. Epub 2010 Jul 28.

Abstract

Myocardial abscess is a rare and often fatal complication of valvular endocarditis. We present a case of a patient with aortic valve endocarditis whose post-operative course was complicated by a large left ventricular abscess. The spatial location of the defect was difficult to assess with 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE); however, real-time 3D contrast TTE allowed us to visualize the full extent of the defect and its precise anatomical location, prior to successful surgical resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Abscess / etiology*
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Abscess / surgery
  • Adult
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / etiology
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / microbiology
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional
  • Endocarditis / complications*
  • Endocarditis / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnostic imaging